Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-11-25

alighted amid perfect wilderness OF
cross tracks, side tracks, coal heaps, and
a wonderful quantity Of freight cars.
He sought out his straw pile, and the
two enjoyed hearty meal. Then his
quick eye was attracted by the half
open door of box-car near.
"Let's see, now," he said, going up to
it. "P'r'aps they've been s-keepin' one
of their style rooms for us, George"
He lit match and peered inside. 1t
contained few articles of shabby fur
niture, and al old carpet rolled up in
one corner.
"Splendid!" he exclaimed. 81 know
ed they'd be a-lookin' for us, George,
but I'm blamed if thought they'd fix
up for us like this. Quit now; don't
you be Vaughn yourself all over the
keer, and a-rappin' your tail agin tie
! nne furnitur'. Be genteel now"
Jim rolled himself and his pet in the
carpet, and both were comfortably set
tied for the night, when voices were
| heard.
whats here?" A man looked in,
and then climbed up, followed by an-
other.
"It's only me and my dog" said Jim.
"Ah, room fo7 more, guess"
Jim had thought he was going to have
a fine nights rest; but he lay awake
long, his thoughts going back 10 the lit
tie boy who had given him more money
than ever he had had at one time before,
and who had promised him a Thanks
giving dinner. He liked the idea Of 10.
ing very much, not only for the good
dinner, which was quite an attraction
TO the poor, hungry little tramp, but he
wanted to see the nice little fellow
again, and see where he lived, aud per-
haps talk more about dogs. The thought
of giving him his dog crossed his mind
for moment, but Was cast aside as n
thing impossible, the very idea produc-
/ lily Hi dlIllOSl hHS oS 80
vent MS 10 extort patient howl from
George.
He wished, though, that he could
''slick up" little to 90 to Johnny Wei
| ford's house. He wondered if he could
| get pair of secondhand shoes for what
was left Of his half-dollar, and made up
/ his mind to search among office sweep
! ings early in the morning for the clean
! est paper collar he could find. He had
All indefinite hope that some good might
come to him from this visit. Perhaps
Johnny's father might help him to do
something. He did odd jobs now, ran
errands, swept steps and crossings, but
1t was his great ambition to get "some-
thin reg'lsr to do"
AS he lay thinking, the men who
shared his shelter were talking, but he
paid little heed 10 them till he heard the
words John Welford"-"cOming on
that train" and then lie listened with
every nerve on tension, till his heart
was filled with fright and horror at what
he heard.
He heard the whole plan. A large
bowlder lay close to the track short
distance from the1unction, and crowbars
were hidden near. The men were to
wait till the watchman had made his last
patrol out that way before the time for
the passing OF the train, when they
would quickly hoist destruction into its
path.
"He sent me up for four years, but I'll
send him up for longer than that" said
the man, with a laugh and an oath
which made Jim shudder.
When the two at last left the car he
waited till they were beyond hearing
and crept cautiously out. He knew that
if they suspected his intention they
would think no more OF crushing out his
/ life than of treading on a worm, but he
was resolved on saving that train if he
died in doing it,. 1t was bright star
light, but dark enough TO admit of his
| watching the men without much danger
of being discovered. lie saw them fin
| ish their work, and hide in the bushes
near. Then with trembling hands, but
full Of firm purpose, he set about carry
ing out hi, plan.
Running back to the straw pile, he
quickly made up a bundle Of 1t, and
slipping of his old shoes, sped noiseless-
ly along the track, past the wreckers.
Just beyond the bowlder the road made
rather a sharp curve, bringing high
! bank between the two men and Jim's
! selected place of action, and this, he
hoped, would conceal from them what
he was doing, at least long enough to
! insure success.
He divided his bundle OF straw, and
laid heap on the track. Then he walt
e. and listened, with his heart beating
too loudly for him to hear any other
sound. He looked up at the stars over
/ his head. "Ny mother is up there some
where's p'r'aps," whispered the little
fellow; maybe she'll ask some 'un to
help me-"
AS the headlight at last appeared in
the distance he set match to his heap,
and saw it blaze up brightly. Lighting
by il the portion still in his hand, he
ran wildly forward waving it to and fro.
But rhe engine came steadily forward, f,
would It never. Rerer stop? He reached
a short bridge over culvert ard sprang
ON the abutment at its side, still brand
ishing his beacon, and scarcely knowing
1t, shrisking at the top Of his voice. His
hands were burningsthe smoke black
ened his face and took away his breath /;
but, yes-it surely was slowing. The